3 killed in Alabama storms, many without power

BIRMINGHAM -- The Alabama Emergency Management Agency reported three deaths from strong storms and possible tornadoes that swept through the state Monday night and early Tuesday.

Limestone County Coroner Mike West says 60-year-old Dorthy Jean Hollis and her 33-year-old son, Carlton Earl Hollis, were killed about 5:15 p.m. Monday when their mobile home was destroyed in the Coxey community 10 miles west of Athens on U.S. 72.

Neighbors told reporters that the two were encouraged to go to a shelter at the Billy Barbs mobile home park, but declined.

A spokeswoman at Athens-Limestone Hospital said 17 people were treated at the hospital for storm injuries and two were admitted.

Tuscaloosa officials said University of Alabama swimmer John Servati, 21, of Tupelo, Miss., was taking shelter in the basement of a home when a retaining wall collapsed about 10:30 p.m. Monday. He was pronounced dead at DCH Regional Medical Center.